Automotive Program Manager – Interior Systems

Mitchell-Plastics; Kitchener; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Development and training plans

RRSP matching

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Mitchell Plastics is seeking a Program Manager to join our Corporate Engineering team in Kitchener, Ontario. This on-site role leads program management, design development, and tooling from concept through pre-production, ensuring on-time delivery and customer alignment.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years in automotive interiors, and is skilled in MS Office, MS Project, CAD, and IATF 16949 processes. Travel within NA may be needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in engineering interior decorative and functional automotive components for automotive suppliers.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and CAD software.
• Understanding of IATF 16949 quality and environmental management systems.
• Familiarity with OEM customer-specific requirements.
• Experience working directly with automotive OEMs.
• Willingness and ability to travel within the U.S., Canada, and Mexico as required.

Responsibilities

• Own all phases of awarded program development including program management, project engineering, prototype assembly, design, tooling, quoting, feasibility, change notice process, and pre-production sign-off.
• Maintain ultimate timing responsibility through all development phases, tracking program schedules and tool progress reports.
• Track and update all program-specific open issues and maintain visual program display boards, updated weekly.
• Lead regular APQP meetings; initiate program-specific meetings and ensure all discussions and approvals are properly recorded.
• Maintain program financial status by updating program quotations and balance sheets; ensure all documentation including POs, requisitions, and meeting minutes are current.
• Create and maintain all program information on the intranet; track incoming and outgoing data and maintain thorough program records.
• Lead conceptual and detailed product design including benchmarking, subcontracting, data transfer, design review, and design validation; communicate design progress to the customer.
• Conduct weekly design reviews with the design team; schedule milestone design reviews with cross-functional stakeholders from manufacturing, quality, and management.
• Manage the validation and test process; ensure all customer DVP&R requirements are met and concerns are addressed via 8D methodology with findings documented on DFMEA, PFMEA, and control plans.
• Manage the paint development process and coordinate pre-production and run-at-rate trials with support from program engineers and the manufacturing paint engineer.
• Manage all tooling aspects of awarded programs; source capable molds, gauges, and fixtures; approve tools before shipping to plants and manage engineering changes to tools in production.
• Ensure all pre-production documentation, testing drawings, process analysis, dimensional control, and capacity analysis are completed prior to launch; lead process sign-off and customer approval activities.
• Initiate feasibility studies for new programs; review and log all quotes per established procedure with sign-off from the Director of Engineering or General Manager.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

CAD software

IATF 16949 knowledge

OEM customer requirements

Auto industry experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field

Job description

Mitchell Plastics is seeking a Program Manager to join our Corporate Engineering team in Kitchener, Ontario. This on-site role leads program management, design development, and tooling from concept through pre-production, ensuring on-time delivery and customer alignment.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years in automotive interiors, and is skilled in MS Office, MS Project, CAD, and IATF 16949 processes. Travel within NA may be needed.